By MORGAN MANNS
for the courier
BASCOM — Hopewell-Loudon Schools athletic boosters are seeking funds to build a new athletic complex.
According to superintendent Nichole Jiran, the facility was on the levy with the district’s new K-12 school facility, but did not pass.
“We feel it’s time that we do this for our kids,” she said. “We want to assure everyone that this is not a school project; it’s a (athletic) booster project. It won’t go on the ballot; we’re not asking for tax payers dollars.”
Athletic boosters president Dawn Bour said the new $6 million facility will include a turf football field, an eight-lane all-weather track, a weight room, locker rooms, concession stands, restrooms, a press box and bleachers that are handicap-accessible.
“It’s well-known that our fields flood quite often,” Bour said. “This effects where students can practice and play. Our track is basically just gravel and that’s not safe for our students.”
Bour said the current weight room’s ceiling is collapsing in some areas, which is not safe or sanitary. She said the room is not big enough for more than one team to utilize at a time.
“We want to give the kids what they need to help them prepare for their season and help them stay fit and healthy,” Bour said.
The boosters have established committees that are reaching out to area businesses and major corporations for possible donations. According to Bour, the boosters have also begun to apply for grants to help with the project.
To involve the community, Bour said a large public fundraising event is in the works, but details have not yet been finalized.
“We really need the community to realize we understand it’s a lot of money, but it’s a true need for these students,” she said. “We have a wonderful, beautiful school thanks to our district. Athletic boosters felt it was time to have a better, safer athletic facility for our kids.”
Pictures of the conditions of the school’s sports facilities, information about the new athletic complex proposal, donation forms, tax information and a comment section can be found at www.sites.google.com/site/hlathleticboosters/athletic-complex.
A PayPal account has been set up for the boosters and can be accessed through the website.